Dial setting mechanism



June 30, 1959 J. c. EAVES 2,892,304

DIAL SETTING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 19, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l-NVENT OR JAMES C. E'AVES ATTORNEY United States Patent DIAL SETTING MECHANISM James C. Eaves, Lexington, Ky.

Application September 19, 1955, Serial No. 535,107

11 Claims. (Cl. 5880) This invention relates to an improved time piece suitable for simultaneously keeping accurate time and of serving as an indicator of elapsed time. More specifically, it relates to a means for optionally employing a conventional time piece, such as a Watch or clock, as an elapsed time indicator through the use of a set of improved, readily adjustable dials. Depending upon the particular dials employed, it may be used either for directly indicating the amount of time remaining in an allotted period, such as the unexpired time upon a parking meter; or for directly indicating the amount of time already elapsed of a given period, such as the expired time during the cooking of food.

In particular, my invention provides an arrangement of dials in which the relationship of the conventional hour and minute hands with respect to the time keeping dial is unchanged and in which the hour of day may be read hastily without a disturbing sensation due to the presence of the other dials. In addition, the supplementary dials for the elapsed time indicating function are mounted in a manner requiring a positive conscious action by the user before the positions of the same can be modified.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved, self-contained and enclosed, means for keeping time and for simultaneously indicating elapsed time.

A second object is to provide a combined time piece and elapsed time indicator requiring no modification of the standard time keeping mechanism.

Another object is to provide an improved movable dial actuating means for a combined time piece and elapsed time indicator.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a movable hour dial and a movable minute dial selectively adjustable with respect to each other and with respect to the stationary dial of the time keeping means. The usual externally extending means, such as an axially movable stem, is employed for winding and setting of the hands of the time piece and a separate externally extending means is employed for adjusting the movable dials, all of the remainder of the apparatus being enclosed in selfcontained relation within the time piece casing. Dust, moisture and other extraneous material accordingly are excluded from the interior of the apparatus in accordance with the demands for reliable operation in this art. Moreover, the invention is thus adapted for use with wrist or pocket watches without danger of inadvertently disturbing the setting of the movable dials.

The features of the invention which I believe to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device showing the dials arranged for indicating the remaining time of an event.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device showing the dials arranged for indicating the expired time of an event.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section and to a larger scale,

f i ce taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l and showing the movable dial actuating means, the minute hand being added for clarity of description.

Fig. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and showing, to a somewhat smaller scale, the relationship of the elements of the movable minute dial gear train.

Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and showing, to a somewhat smaller scale, the relationship of the elements of the movable hour dial gear train.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the braking means for the movable hour dial gear train.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the braking means for the movable minute dial gear train.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation view of the braking means of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation view of the mounting for one end of the dial actuating shaft, and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of the mounting of Fig. 9.

Referring first to Fig. 3, the time piece, here shown as a watch, is provided with a casing 10 having the usual face crystal 11. Interiorly of the casing is a plate member 12 beneath which is mounted the conventional mechanism for operating the customary time keeping elements of the watch and including concentrically mounted shafts 13 and 14. A minute hand 15 is afiixed to shaft 13 and an hour hand 16 is afiixed to shaft 14. An externally extending, axially movable stem 17 is provide-d for winding the mechanism and for setting of the respective hour and minute hands in a conventional manner.

At an appropriate location, between the planes of the plate 12 and crystal 11, I provide an annular stationary dial 20 for cooperation with the hour and minute hands. This dial is suitably mounted at its outer periphery upon the casing wall. Preferably the numerals or other indicia for indicating the hours are located at or near the outer periphery of the stationary dial leaving an open annular space 21 on the inner periphery of that dial, thus contributing to ease in reading the time of day and without requiring a conscious effort to distinguish between the readings of time of day and readings of elapsed time.

Interiorly of the stationary dial is a movable minute dial 22 in the form of a disc, preferably of dish-like shape, while interiorly of the dial 22 is a movable hour dial 23 in the form of a flat disc. A suitable clamping washer 18 mounted upon outer shaft 14 and pressing upon the upper surface of dial 23 may be employed to hold the movable dials in position, as when the time piece is inverted. Preferably all dials lie in approximately the same plane and have their peripheries in closely spaced relation to the visible periphery of the adjacent dial. Movement of the respective movable dials is effected by means of first and second gear trains arranged in closely spaced relation and independently movable.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 5, the gear train for actuating the movable hour dial preferably comprises a thin flat spur gear 25 having a hollow hub portion 26. The hub portion is rotatably journalled upon shaft 14 and is adapted to support the hour dial 23 at its upper end. A thin bearing washer 27, of suitable material, may be interposed between the bottom face of gear 25 and the upper surface of the supporting plate 12 as a means of reducing friction. In mesh with the driven spur gear 25 is a thin flat idler spur gear 28 rotatably journalled upon a stationary pin 23 which in turn is afirxed to plate 12. In mesh with the idler gear 28 is a double gear having a flat lower portion comprising a driving spur gear 31 and a superimposed integral upper portion comprising a bevel gear 32. The double gear is rotatably journalled upon stationary pin 39 aflixed to plate 12. Friction reducing washers preferably are interposed between plate 12 and each of gears 23 and 31.

For the purpose of preventing undesired movement of the gear train thus described, a braking means, best shown in Figs. 3, and 6, is provided. A thin strip 33 of metal, such as watch spring metal, having an an choring means 34 adapted to be brazed or otherwise connected to the top surface of plate 12, is mounted in a generally horizontal plane under tension, forcingthe outerend thereof into close engagement with the periphery of spur gear 31. At its outer end the strip is provided with a gear engaging member 35 and with an upstanding arm 36, having an aperture 37 therein. This aperture preferably is of a generally horizontally oval shape.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the gear train for actuating the movable minute dial preferably comprises a thin flat bevel gear 40 having a hollow hub portion 41. This hub portion is rotatably journalled upon hub portion 26 of the gear 25 and is adapted to support the minute dial 22 at its upper end. A thin bearing washer (not shown) may be interposed between the bottom surface of gear 40 and the upper surface of gear 25. In mesh with the driven gear 40 is a driving bevel gear 42 rotatably journalled upon stationary pin 29. Gear 42 is of a size to provide a substantial space between its periphery and the nearest portion of the periphery of bevel gear 32. A friction reducing washer (not shown) may be provided between the bottom surface of gear 42 and the upper surface of gear 28.

For the purpose of preventing undesired movement of the minute dial gear train, a braking means best shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8 is provided. An arched thin strip of metal 43, such as watch spring metal, having an anchoring means 44 adapted to be brazed or otherwise connect ed to the top surface of plate 12, is mounted under tension, forcing the outer end thereof into close engagement with the periphery of bevel gear 42. This engagement preferably is at a point in the gear generally diametrically opposite the mounting of the anchoring means 44, as best shown in Fig. 4. At its outer end the arched strip is provided with a gear engaging member 45, while at the central portion of the arch there is provided a boss 46 having an aperture 47 of generally horizontally oval shape therethrough. Accordingly, it will be noted that the breaking means bridges the gears 42 and 28.

Also bridging gears 40 and 25 is a stationary arched bracket shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and having supports 50 and 51 for mounting upon the upper surface of plate 12. Adjacent its central portion the bracket is provided with a boss 52 having a round aperture 53 therein. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 this bracket provides a secure mounting for one end of a rotatable axially movable shaft 54. At its other end the shaft is journalled in the wall of casing 10 by a suitable mounting 55 Within which may be located any suitable detent means, not shown, for holding the shaft in a desired axial location. A conventional knob 56 may be afiixed to the external end of the shaft for convenience in rotating and axially moving the shaft.

Shaft 54 extends through aperture 37 in the hour dial braking means and is provided inboard of that aperture with an abutment 57 adapted to engage and move the braking means to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, when the shaft is moved to the left. Similarly, shaft 54 extends through the aperture 46 in the minute dial braking means and is provided inboard of that aperture with an abutment 58 adapted to engage and move the braking means to the right, as shown in Fig. 3, when the shaft is moved to the right.

Located upon shaft 54 in the space between bevel gears 32.and 42 is a double bevel gear 59 adapted for selective engagement with the bevel gears of the hour and minute dial gear trains. Accordingly, it will be understood that when shaft 54 is pushed to its extreme right hand position, as described, one face of gear 59 will engage with driving gear 42 of the minute dial gear train, the braking means of that gear train simultaneously being released. Rotation of the shaft in either direction thus permits the minute dial to be rotated as desired in either direction.

Similarly, when shaft 54 is pulled to its extreme left hand position the other face of gear 59 engages with driving gear 32 of the hour dial gear train, the braking means of that gear train simultaneously being released. Rotation of the shaft in either direction thus permits the hour dial to be rotated as desired in either direction.

After setting the movable dials, the shaft 54 is moved to the intermediate position of Fig. 3, both braking means meanwhile having become reengaged with their respective gear trains.

Reference now is made to Fig. 1 showing one arrangement of dials for directly indicating the remaining time of an event and illustrating one usage of my invention. As an example, the user at 7:15 oclock had actuated shaft 54 soas to move the zero marking of the hour dial directly under the position occupied by hour hand 16 at that time. Moreover, he had also actuated the shaft so as to move the 60 minute marking of the minute dial di-. rectly under the positionoccupied by minute hand 15 at that time. Two hours and ten minutes of time have since elapsed and of the twelve hours of time shown on the movable dials, a total of nine hours and fifty minutes now remain. This amount of time can be observed directly by glancing at dial 23 and dial 22. It will be apparent that instead of providing an hour dial having a total of twelve hours indicated thereon any fraction of this amount may be used for a specific reason without departing from the scope of this invention. For exam.- ple, if the user desires to employ the elapsed time characteristic of his time piece primarily for checking time against a two hour parking meter, dial 23 may be provided with only two gradations, the remainder of the dial face being left blank. Moreover, if desired, the segment of the dial representing the final hour of time may conveniently be formed with a distinctive color or the like which quickly indicates that the allotted time will soon expire whenever the hour hand is observed to be located in that distinctive space of the hour dial. Similar distinctive marking may be used upon the minute dial, for example, the space between 10 and 60minute could be used as a final ten-minute warning. whenever the minute hand is found to be in that region and the hour hand is likewise in its final hour space.

As an alternative, the movable dials may be arranged to indicate directly the time already elapsed as shown in Fig. 2. As before, the user had set the dials at 7:15 oclock and two hours and ten minutes have now expired. Merely by glancing at dial 23 it is noted that the hour hand 16 presently lies between the 2 and 3 indicia on the hour dial, indicating that two hours have expired. Similarly, by glancing at dial 22 it is noted that the minute hand 15 now shows ten minutes, thus indicating that a total of two hours and ten minutes have expired. As' above set forth, the dial-s may be formed with distinctive markings for showing the imminent conclusion of an allotted period of time and moreover the hour dial does not necessarily have to cover a total of twelve hours.

While both types of dial markings indicated by Figs. 1 and 2 are not incorporated in a single article, it will be apparent that the remaining apparatus for actuating the dials is of a standard type andsuitable for use with either variation of movable dials. It is contemplated that the article will be sold and employed either as a direct readingremaining time device or as a direct readingexpired time device. Obviously, by making suitable mental calculations, the converse usage may be had regardless of the commercial designation. In any event, it is found that the user can readily read the hour of day by means of the position of the watch hands with respect to stationary dial 20 and that the presence of the movable dials does not detract from the normal function of the time piece.

It will be understood that various modifications of the gear trains, dials and other structural elements may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and, therefore, I intend my invention to be limited only as required by the scope of the prior art and of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a time piece having a face crystal, a stationary dial and movable hour and minute hands cooperating with said stationary dial, the improvement comprising a first movable dial mounted beneath said crystal concentrically with and of smaller diameter than said stationary dial, a second movable dial mounted beneath said crystal concentrically with and adjacent to, and of a smaller diameter than said first movable dial, said movable dials respectively having indicia for indicating elapsed time and with said indicia being located adjacent each other for convenient interpretation, a first gear train for selectively adjusting said first movable dial and attached thereto adjacent the center of the dial, a second gear train for selectively adjusting said second movable dial and attached thereto adjacent the center of the dial, and an adjustable dial actuating means for selectively engaging said first gear train upon movement in a. first direction and said second gear train upon movement in a second direction, each of said movable dials being free from contact with said stationary dial whereby they may be readily adjusted upon movement of said gear trains.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a gear mounted upon an axially displacealble rotatable shaft.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a gear mounted upon an axially displaceable rotatable shaft and normally positioned in nonengagement with said gear trains.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first gear train includes a braking means normally engaged with said first gear train, and said actuating means comprises a gear mounted upon an axially displaceable rotatable shaft, said braking means being engaged by said actuating means to release said braking means when said shaft is moved in said first direction and including a tensioned spring having a mounting portion at one end, a gear train engaging portion at a second end and a portion for engaging said dial actuating shaft.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second gear train includes a braking means normally engaged with said second gear train and said actuating means comprises a gear mounted upon an axially displaceable rotatable shaft, said braking means being engaged by said actuating means to release said braking means when said shaft is moved in said second direction and including a tensioned spring having a mounting portion at one end, a gear train engaging portion at a second end and a portion for engaging said dial actuating shaft.

6. In combination with a time piece having a face crystal, a stationary dial, movable hour and minute hands cooperating with said stationary dial, mechanism for actuating said hour and minute hands, and a plate enclosing said mechanism, the improvement comprising a first movable dial mounted beneath said crystal concentrically with and of smaller diameter than said stationary dial, a second movable dial beneath said crystal concentrically with and adjacent to and of smaller diameter than said first movable dial, said movable dials respectively having indicia for indicating elapsed time and with said indicia 6 being located adjacent each other for convenient interpretation, a second gear train mounted adjacent said enclosing plate for selectively adjusting said second movable dial and attached thereto adjacent the center of the dial, a first gear train mounted upon said second gear train and independently movable with respect thereto for selectively adjusting said first movable dial and attached thereto adjacent the center of the dial, and an adjustable actuating means for selectively engaging said first gear train upon movement in a first direction and said second gear train upon movement in a second direction, each of said movable dials being free from contact with said stationary dial whereby they may be readily adjusted upon movement of said gear trains.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said first gear train includes a driven gear having said first movable dial attached thereto and a driving gear positioned for engagement with said actuating means when said means is moved in said first direction.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second gear train includes a driven gear having said second movable dial attached thereto, a driving gear, and an idler gear meshing with said driving and driven gears, said driving gear being positioned for engagement with said actuating means when said means is moved in said second direction.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said actuating means comprises a double bevel gear mounted upon an axially displaceable rotatable shaft, one side of said gear being adapted to engage with said second gear train, and the other side of said gear being adapted to engage with said first gear train, said gear being normally positioned in non-engagement with said gear trains.

10. In combination with a time piece having a face crystal, a stationary dial and shaft driven movable hour and minute hands cooperating with said stationary dial, the improvement comprising a first movable dial mounted beneath said crystal concentrically with and of a smaller diameter than said stationary dial and being supported upon a first centrally disposed hollow hub portion, a second movable dial mounted beneath said crystal concentrically with and adjacent to and of a smaller diameter than said first movable dial and being supported upon a second centrally disposed hollow hub portion mounted within said first hollow hub portion, said movable dials respectively having indicia for indicating elapsed time and with said indicia being located adjacent each other for convenient interpretation, and means for selectively adjusting the movable dials angularly with respect to said stationary dial and with respect to each other by rotation of said hollow hub portions with respect to each other each of said movable dials being free from contact with said stationary dial whereby they may be readily adjusted upon rotation of said hub portions.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein each of said hollow hub portions surrounds the shafts of said hour and minute hands.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,926,243 Russo Sept. 12, 1933 2,058,712 Muir et a1 Oct. 27, 1936 2,182,984 Hacmac Dec. 12, 1939 2,677,928 Haynes May 11, 1954 2,777,281 Berry Jan. 15, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 625,482 France Apr. 25, 1927 

